E-Debate press release

From E-Democracy.org

Enclosed is a press release about the MN US Senate Online Debate
which starts next week.

If you do not wish to receive other rare press notices from Minnesota
E-Democracy, please let us know via e-mail <info@e-democracy.org>. Your
address will be removed from our internal media contact list. Thank you.

ST. PAUL, MINNESOTA, February 18, 2000 - Minnesota continues to blaze the
trail with the interactive use of the Internet in politics. From Monday,
February 21st through Friday, March 3rd most announced candidates for the
United State Senate in Minnesota will debate the substance of four major
election issues.

[Print publications are encouraged to include the following e-mail
instruction. To receive the candidate debate directly via e-mail,
send an e-mail to: mn-forum-subscribe@egroups.com ]

The US Senate E-Debate, first held in 1994, is based on one of the
best models for structured online exchange among candidates. The
Minnesota experience may influence those considering online debate
activities with Presidential, Congressional, state, and local
candidates around the United States and beyond. New innovations in
this debate made possible by the Internet include the use of an
online poll to allow the public to choose the four debate topics from
choices submitted by voters.

"This online debate is being organized by citizens, for citizens, in the
spirit that issues matter in an election," commented Tim Erickson,
volunteer Debate Coordinator. "We are excited to have so many candidates
engaged in this dynamic forum and hope to light an interactive fire
across the Internet in Minnesota that will generate early interest in
this important election. The online debate will be one of the most
important and accessible U.S. Senate candidate events to date."

Steven Clift, Board Chair of Minnesota E-Democracy, noted, "Governor
Jesse Ventura used the pre-Caucus debate in 1998 to share the substance
of his campaign. It was one of his first opportunities to share the stage
as an equal with the other candidates. We expect some surprises to emerge
from this debate. With our strategic use of e-mail, the candidates'
responses will be forwarded by close to 1000 audience members to friends,
family, and fellow political activists across the state. This will give
candidates in this crowded field the early exposure they need to become
better known."

The E-Democracy 2000 partnership <http://www.e-democracy.org/2000>
hosts the main online starting point for online Minnesota election
resources from the media, candidates, government, and non-partisan
civic organizations. Minnesota candidates for public office from dog
catcher to US Congress up are encouraged to submit their web site
addresses to help maintain Minnesota's position of having one of highest
proportion of candidates using the Internet strategically in their
campaigns.

E-democracy 2000 is made up of media and civic partners who provide
citizens access to the election information, news, and interaction across
Minnesota. This partnership is open to all media organizations, internet
companies, and non-partisan civic organizations that do not endorse
candidates. As of the February 18, the partners include Channel 4000,
Checks